The blue and white (silver) tones used exclusively for the 187th Field Artillery Distinctive Unit Insignia (aka "unit crest" or DUI) commemorate the organization's heritage as a direct descendant of the 14th Infantry Regiment, a New York National Guard unit that fought in nine Civil War campaigns; the bugle seen here was the Infantry cap device during the Civil War. A fleur-de-lis recognizes the organization's service in France during World War I as the 2nd Pioneer Infantry, where it was "Baptized By Fire" in the Meuse-Argonne campaign. The insignia was approved on 25 May 1925.
Distinctive Unit Insignias are worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been authorized to be issued the device. It is worn centered on the shoulder loops of the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) and the blue Army Service Uniform (ASU, Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
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On 16 September 1940, the 14th Infantry Regiment, less its 3rd Battalion, was redesignated as the 187th Field Artillery and inducted into Federal service the following February 3rd. It was subsequently reorganized and redesignated as the 187th Field Artillery Battalion on 8 February 1943, and as separate battalion it would go on to take part in five campaigns in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater during World War II, receiving a Citation in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for its actions during the Battle of the Bulge.
Following the war, the unit was redesignated as the 187th Field Artillery Observation Battalion and ordered into Federal service on 3 September 1950; in October 1953 it would be redesignated again as the 187th Field Artillery Battalion. In all, the Battalion took part in nine Korean War campaigns before it was released from active Federal service in December 1954 and reverted to state control, with Federal recognition withdrawn from the unit at the same time.